Most influential and impactful Ahom rulers | Author: Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah

Most influential and impactful Ahom rulers

by Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah

Located in the northeastern region of India, the Ahom kingdom was a powerful and influential empire that ruled over the region of Assam for nearly six centuries. From 1228 to 1826, the Ahom kingdom was governed by a series of remarkable kings who left an indelible mark on the region's history, culture, and politics. These visionary rulers not only expanded the kingdom’s borders and strengthened its economy but also promoted the arts, literature, and architecture. In this presentation, we will delve into the lives and achievements of the most influential kings of the Ahom kingdom, exploring their contributions to the kingdom's growth, prosperity, and enduring legacy.

Chaolung Sukaphaa was the first Ahom king in medieval Assam, was the founder of the Ahom kingdom and the architect of Assam. The kingdom he established in 1228 existed for nearly six hundred years and in the process unified the various ethnic groups of the region that left a deep impact on the region. Sukaphaa came into Assam not as a raiding conqueror but as a head of an agriculture folk in search of land. He encouraged his soldiers as well as members of the Ahom elite to marry locally. Sukaphaa moved and lived amongst the tribesman, learnt their languages, honoured their religious rites, married their daughters and led a simple life of a commoner, himself cultivating in the land. He accepted them to his social fold, placed them on equal footing with his own men and treated them as his friends. In 1268, Sukaphaa died, at the time of his death, his kingdom was bounded by the Brahmaputra River in the west, the Disang River in the north, the Dikhow River in the south and the Naga Hills in the east.

Suhungmung (Or Dihingya Roja) was the ruler of the Ahom kingdom from 1497 till his death in 1539. The Ahom Kingdom didn’t expand much in the years after Sukaphaa’s death. But under Suhungmung, the Ahom kingdom reached its peak. His reign broke from the early Ahom rule and established a multi-ethnic polity in his kingdom. He began by suppressing the revolt of the Aitonia Nagas in 1504 and making them accept Ahom overlordship. Suhungmung then extended the Ahom Kingdom to the mouth of the Tiphao River, where a new fort was constructed. The Chutias fortified Sadiya but they were soon defeated. The Chutias were pursued further and their king and prince were killed in battle. In 1526, Suhungmung marched against the Kachari Kingdom. He also successfully defended his kingdom against Delhi Sultanate’s invasions, first by a general called Bar Ujjir and later another named Turbak Khan. Suhungmung was assassinated in 1539, marking the end of his prolific rule.

Supatphaa (or Gadadhar Singha) was the 29th Ahom King who ruled from 1681 till his death in 1696. He was reputed for his giant stature, physical vigour, intelligence and valour. Gadadhar Singha stabilized the Ahom kingdom, which was going through a long decade of political turmoil and instability. He retook Guwahati and permanently wrested out the Mughals from Assam following the Battle of Itakhuli.

Sukhrungphaa (or Rudra Singha) who ruled the kingdom from 1696 till his death in 1714. He stopped the persecution of the Neo-Vaisnava sect and built temples, several public works, and patronized art, literature, and culture. Rudra Singha is also famed for being the real father of Ahom architecture. He giving up the isolationist policy of his predecessors forged diplomatic ties with various states of that time and established extensive trade with Bengal. He remodeled the administrative structure and his army carried on aggressive warfare upon the neighboring chiefdoms and countries, the Jaintias and Dimasas submitted and became vassals. Rudra Singha strengthened by various factors and built a coalition of rulers in the region and raised a vast composite army against the mughal Empire. He is considered as the most illustrious of the Ahom kings, under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory.

Sutanphaa (or Siva Singha) was the 31st ruler of the Ahom Kingdom who ruled from 1714 till his death in 1744. He was a member of the Tungkhungia kings. He made numerous temples and mosques. He made large numbers of land grants to Brahmin scholars and Muslim scholars. Siva Singha was a great patron of literature and music. His reign is considered the golden era of Assamese manuscripts. Siva Singha is said to have established such an elaborate system of espionage during his reign that he had accurate information of everything that was done or spoken in the kingdom. There was no war in his reign, except in 1717 where there was a successful expedition against the Daflas of the northern hills. Queen Phuleswari minted coins in the joint name of her and her husband where she used Persian legend, the first of its kind in Assam. There were many other important rulers such as Chakradhwaj Singha, who had waged war against the Mughal empire. Udayaditya Singha, who continued the Ahom's war against Mughals was the ultimate winner, liberated the Ahom Kingdom from foreign powers. Others like Rajeshwar Singha are also worth a mention. The Ahom kings through their vision, leadership, and achievements, these remarkable rulers transformed the Ahom kingdom into a powerful and prosperous empire that lasted for nearly six centuries.